Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-09-09
thing, or even, perhaps, might have sceu

"At what hour was this crime commttedp
"Some minutes before midnight"
"Thnt explains why we honrd nothing |
went TO bed about 10 o'clock and my husband
came home soon after. did not see him"
as NJ. Laroque here"
Gle took the o'clock train to Paris, but
he said nothing, which proves that he heard
nothing"
"You have a little girl, believe, Of or s
years. Where does She sleepl Might she not
she have heard the detonation"
's5he slept in my bed last night, and never
woke until morning."
She said this with quick, harsh accent,
which surprised Lacroix. His keen eye saw
here mystery, and he looked at the young
woman whose eyes fell before his.
"Can see the child'' asked he.
Certainly, if you think it necessary, but
she is not very well this morning having had
a nervous attack and unless it is really
necessary
"Ahalo thought NJ. Lacroix; "she doesn't
want me TO see the little girl. Whyp
Mr. Lacroix was on the point of letting
this question pass for the time when the child
stepped to her mothers side from the other
room.
mo, mother" she said, without being ques-
llNHtl, L tDull llOb ItNb Dcdlu dlll Lulllb L
slept all night without waking"
81 would like to question your servants"
said Lacrolx, and Henriette rang. Victoria
entered
Bring the cook and coachman," said she,
Sand return with them"
In another instant the three wero there. The
coachman and cook had rooms opening upon
the garden. They declared they had seen
and heard nothing. They had gone to bed at
10 and slept until morning. 1t was by report
that they had known Of the crime Lacroix
made sign for them to retire, which they
gladly obeyed. And as Victoria was about
to follow them he called her back.
zone moment, my girl"
She stopped, little confused. 81 am
going to ask you the same questions as those
| addressed your comrades. AT what hour
did you go to bedp
"Why, why" stammered she, looking to-
ward Henriette so earnestly that it was evident
that she was waiting for sign from her mis-
treSs. NJ. Lacroix placed himself between
them without seeming to do so by design.
Answer, my girl, and do not fear to speak
the truth"
II went to bed very late; later than usual.
Madame must have told you"
"Why later yesterday than usual!"
I'VE were waiting for NJ. Laroque who did
not return until after midnight. Madame
and Miss Suzanne and waited for him until
nearly midnight"
"You mean 10 o'clock"
40. midnight. At II 80 l was in madame's
room. She had rurg for me to come and I'M
dress Miss Suzanne"
you are very sure Of the hourN
"Ctrtainly, sir, since | tell you So"
Here was double contradiction which sur
prsed the magistrate. Why had Nine. La
, rogue pretended that her husband had re-
turned few minutes after she had retired
and that she had retired at 10 o'cloclis What
interest had she to prevaricatef
$50 then at 80 you We're in madame's
ROOM That hour comedies with that of the
crime. A pistol shot was fired. Did you
hear it!'
"Perfectly and I even observed so tc
madame. But madame, who was on the
balcony, says she heard nothing"
"And you did not go out'"
"No, sir"
SIS tnat all you have to say to meF'
eyes, sir" she replied. hesitatingly A dc
not know anything more"
Lacroix noticed that she grew pale, anC
thought she he'd. "She knows something els,
and will not tell it," Then, with a laughing
air, he turned again to Henriette, saying:
Il understand your repugnance to tell me
the truth, and l do not blame you for moi
wishing to serve as u witness at the court o.
assizes, but the affair is grave and merits re
! hecton"-
@Sir"
ado not say that you do not understand
me. No, my meaning is very clear to you
and you have understood me perfectly well
! You say that If | say nothing justice viii
not need my testimony and l will escap
much annoyance by keeping silent That
true and would be justiiiable if the question
was triiing one, but this is a murder"
Again Sip
"Permit me, madame; have not finished
Up to the present moment you say you wer
asleep at ~ o'clock. Neither you nor you
little girl had gone to bed until midnight
Il assure you, sir" said Henriette, who's
heart seemed ready to burst
$40 not deny. Your maid says other
wise"
"Shc j, mistaken"
as IL i,)t more likely you who ore mis-
talien:' insinuated the magistrate, VIII
/ W. he'd the visible emotion of Henriett
WA vigilant eye.
is it possible that after all did not motto
the hour, and it may have been later than
thought
as it true that Victoria called your atten
ton to pistol shot near your Windows"
81 do not remember it."
"And you declare that you heard nothing
although You were so late out on tn
balconyl
(TO be continued neat lCock)
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